True W-O-R-S-H-I-P

A couple of Sundays ago we started looking at the different facets of true worship. I came up with an acrostic to help us get to the heart of the matter. Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list of what worship is all about - in fact, it's just a starting point. I believe that we can use the acrostic to help us evaluate our worship.
I become a true worshipper when I:
W - Want Jesus more than anything else in my life (Matthew 6:33)
O - Offer myself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
R - Renew my mind with the Word of God (Romans 12:2)
S - Seek God's will above my own (Luke 22:42)
H - Hear God's songs of love over me (Zephaniah 3:17)
I - Increase my ability to see Christ (Isaiah 6:1 & Psalms 27:8)
P - Praise God even when I don't feel like it (Acts 16:16-34)
True worship is not just a "feel good" moment in church. It is choosing to tithe even when it looks like the money isn't there. It is moving out of my comfort zone when all I want to do is stay put. It is making the decision to turn off the "noise" of this world and get in the Word of God. It is fulfilling my responsibilities even though I am weary and feel overlooked and underappreciated. It is so many more things than this, but, I promise it is so worth it. Adopting a lifestyle of true worship will garner the attention of heaven. Remember, worship is not a means of manipulating God into doing what we want done - God forbid that we adopt that philosophy. Worship is about becoming more like Christ. Living in the center of His will, we will find everything we could ever want or need. Next week, we will look at the results of true worship in our lives....you don't want to miss that! Until then, become a true worshipper.
"Worship changes the worshipper into the image of the One worshipped." (Jack Hayford)

True Worship -- What is it?

Worship has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been away from my home church for a little while and as I go to other places and worship with other believers it really makes me ponder this "worship" thing. Different denominations worship in different ways during their church services, but is that really all worship is? I think not. Worship is a lifestyle and not something we do on Sunday mornings and maybe one other night a week. It is time for a spirit of worship to invade every part of our Christian life. Our individual worship should be so rich and so passionate that when we get together corporately the presence of God falls in a mighty way. Isn't that what happened in 2 Chronicles? When the people began to worship in true unity, the presence of the Lord filled the place with a cloud of glory. We will begin a look at the worshipping bride this Sunday. The bride that Christ is returning for is one that worships HIM with all her heart! Want to learn more? Check out our Sister to Sister class this Sunday morning. See you there!

Opportunities for Bible Study this Fall!

We are excited to be able to offer several evening Bible studies starting in August. Check back soon for official start dates and times, but look over the studies listed and prayerfully seek God about which one you should participate in at this time. You will be blessed beyond measure as you seek to draw closer to the Lord through the study of His word. On Monday nights, we will offer Beth Moore's updated Breaking Free. Facilitated by Sabrina Wales, this is an eleven-week course and is a great foundational course for those seeking to let go of the chains of the past. On Sunday afternoon, we will offer Love and Respect a study for married couples and facilitated by Bill and Cassandra King. We are not sure about which nights we will offer our last two studies but they are both by Beth Moore. Nancy Pennington will be facilitating When Godly People do Ungodly Things. This study is only seven weeks and is very timely for the days in which we live. We will also offer Beth Moore's Here & Now, There & Then. It is a study of the book of Revelation and will be facilitated by Lora Branam. You can find information about all of these studies by doing a Google search or going to www.lifeway.com.

For Such a Time as This

Our 2010 Women's Seminar will be May 14 & 15. Join us for a great time of fellowship with women from all walks and denominations. Call the church office at 770-867-8888 to learn more. E-mail us at churchwinder@windstream.net to get a registration form.

Repairing the Chasms

This past Sunday we began a new study in God's Word dealing with repairing the chasms. A chasm is defined as "a break, fissure, breach, opening, rupture, division, separation, rift." Spiritually, chasms develop as a result of sin. The inspiration for this study is found in Amos 4:3 where God tells his people that because they did not return to him they will "each go straight out through breaks in the wall". Those chasms are our breaks in the wall and as we allow them to go unchecked in our lives they become the very places where our enemy will take us out. God desires for each of his daughters to live whole, healed, and abundant lives and that is the goal of this study. Over the next few weeks, we will look at chasms that develop around generational fault lines, chasms caused by actions done to us, and chasms created from our own sinful choices. Please make plans to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM in our fellowship hall as we break open God's Word and find healing and wholeness.
See you Sunday,
Stacy Pennington

New Bible studies start in February!

We are excited to offer our ladies two opportunities for small group Bible study. On Sunday nights we will offer The Patriarchs by Beth Moore from 4 - 6PM. This study will start on Sunday, February 7 and will last for eleven weeks. Nancy Pennington will serve as facilitator. On Monday nights we will offer Beloved Disciple also by Beth Moore from 6 - 8PM. This eleven-week study will start on Monday, February 8 and will be facilitated by Stacy Pennington. To register for either of these studies, call the church office at 770-867-8888 or e-mail us at churchwinder@windstream.net. Deadline to register is Sunday, January 31.

The Love Chapter - Christmas Style

I got this poem in my daily e-mail devotional, and I just had to share it with all of you. Enjoy!!

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

AMEN!

To learn more about Sharon Jaynes and her ministry "Girlfriends in God", go to www.girlfriendsingod.com.